Omegas - What Are They, What Do They Do And Where Do I Get Them?
Posted on March 4, 2008 - Filed Under Health and Fitness
Omega 3’s are ‘good fats’. Omegas are not stored by the body as excess fat, they are absorbed and utilised by the body in a number of extremely beneficial ways. Omega 3 fatty acids are important for brain function and research has showed that they may play an important role in vision, co-ordination, learning ability, memory, concentration and behaviour. When our mothers told us that fish was ‘brain food’, she wasn’t kidding! Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be produced by the body so we must obtain them through diet.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that nearly two-thirds of patients suffering from chronic neck and back pain stopped needing anti-inflammatory pain pills after taking fish-oil pills for 20 to 30 days. The key may be omega-3s’ ability to fight inflammation. This ability of Omega 3’ to reduce inflammation has also been shown to benefit those with asthma.
Another form of omega-3s known as DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) makes up 25 percent of your body’s brain fat and manages the production and flow of the feel-good chemical serotonin. People who battle depression seem to be DHA-deficient. Researchers believe a DHA supplement may be a gentler (and ultimately more effective) alternative to antidepressants, says David Perlmutter, MD, author of The Better Brain Book
But don’t count on just any supplement available at a drugstore or on the Web. Go to consumerlab.com/results/omega3.asp to find a list of omega-3 supplements judged in independent tests to be fresh and free of contaminants, and to have the amount of good fats listed on the label.
In addition to Omega 3’ ability to reduce inflammation, they might also be beneficial in lowering blood pressure, reducing clotting and by reducing blood sugar can help in the fight against diabetes! “Diabetes has a strong inflammatory component, which leads to a much greater risk of developing heart disease.”
So where can I find Omega 3 essential fatty acids?
A common misconception about Omega 3 essential fatty acids is that they only come from fish, making it impossible for the vegan or vegetarian to include them in the diet. Below are a number of sources;
Cold water ocean fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna and also lake trout.
Flax seed or flaxseed oil (try Linwoods milled flax seed for ease of use)
Walnuts or walnut oil
Spinach
Arugula (a salad green also known as Rocket – fresh peppery taste)
Avocado
Soy products such as tofu (try smoked tofu for newbies!)
Eggs
Pumpkin seeds or oil (try Clearspring Pumpkin Seed Oil – high quality with a rich, nutty flavour)
This is just a sample of the many sources of Omega 3 oils to give you an idea of how available they are even if you are a vegetarian!
www.fussyeaters.net
Tags: children, diet, eaters, family, Flaxseed, food, frui, fussy, health, nutrition, oil, omega, picky, veg, vegetarian
Related Posts
Comments
Leave a Reply
